Eastbourne woman 'devastated' after missing funeral due to mail delay

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news ... ay-3373775

An Eastbourne woman was left ‘devastated’ after discovering she had missed her friend’s funeral due to a delay in mail.

Christine Smith of Albion Road said she received an invitation to a friend’s funeral the day after it took place.

Mrs Smith said, “I didn’t get the information about the funeral until after. It was really distressing.

“I was absolutely devastated. It is not just her, it is her family as well. I couldn’t give my condolences.”

Along with being unable to attend the funeral, Mrs Smith’s husband almost missed a hospital appointment as the letter only arrived the day before – 13 days after the letter was addressed.

She said, “We only got the letter the day before. There must be a number of appointments being missed.

“It must cost the NHS money and staff. I think it is terrible.”


Emma Boyes of Bourne Street also experienced the delay in deliveries and said it has potentially cost her money.

Ms Boyes said her pet insurance offers were due to arrive in the mail so she could decide whether she wanted to renew.

The Eastbourne woman explained that she usually calls her insurer to get the price down before agreeing – but this year the statement did not arrive until after the automatic renewal date.

She said, “I probably would have renewed it anyway but it would have been nice to see it and not if I had wanted to.”


Ms Boyes, like Mrs Smith, raised concerns over hospital appointments that could be missed.

She said, “I am really concerned that people will be called into appointments with short notice and not know anything.

“I haven’t had a letter for an appointment. I still do not know the time and date.

“I do need to arrange transport so I do really need to know when it is.”


Ms Boyes said she also had a delay in medication, which was delivered a week late.

In response to the mail delays, she said, “Just sort it out please and stop pretending it is not an issue.”

Mrs Smith added, “They should see that they are having problems without us having to complain.

“We should be getting mail at least once a week.


“It is frustrating to say the least.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said, “The health and safety of our colleagues and our customers is our number one priority.

“In a limited number of areas, we are experiencing some disruption to service due to covid-related absences.

“We aim to deliver to all addresses we have mail for, six days a week. If resourcing issues, associated self-isolation and safety measures prevent this, we’ll deliver at least every other day.


“It’s only in extreme cases – where offices are severely affected by absence levels - that this may not be possible”.

[Decky Boy]

Firstly can I say...it is never good missing a loved one's funeral...but to blame Royal Mail for such a thing...is rather incredible ?

"Christine Smith of Albion Road said she received an invitation to a friend’s funeral the day after it took place." ... is it just me... Regretably I've had to attend numerous funerals over the years (more and more as I get older ! ) ...and never once have I been invited ! ! !

Usually word of mouth, social media and the local newspaper are the sources that alert one to this inevitable life event !

Death will come to us all sooner or later. For some religions, passing just means moving onto a different life or place. It can hurt, especially close individuals left behind and I sympathise to some extent with Ms Smith in missing the formal send off. It is never too late to send condolences and I suggest you do so now !

Blaming your postie for all this just doesn't cut the mustard with me !

[NWpostie]

Emails and texts followed by post is usually the best way.

[ssdd]

Believe it or not, there are actually some people in this day and age who don't use social media, email or texts! I know, incredible isn't it! An elderly person in a different town may not have any other viable way to receive such information. And perhaps the sender doesn't have the recipients phone number, if they even have a land line!
The real disgrace is that, even with Covid related absences or delays, Mrs Wilson will get her Tracked parcel with a nice new pair of shoes, whilst poor Mrs Smith doesn't get the important information that she needed in time.

[scoobydo79]

I’m sure the blame doesn’t rest entirely on Royal Mail on this.I Myself have received a hospital letter.Posted late and delivered 2 days before the appointment. No fault of R.M.

[jackthecube]

Judging by the amount of Christmas cards we kill off every year, for people that are long dead, this is hardly surprising.

[ssdd]

I’m sure the blame doesn’t rest entirely on Royal Mail on this.I Myself have received a hospital letter.Posted late and delivered 2 days before the appointment. No fault of R.M.

Of course the NHS is also being affected by delays, but with RM prioritising certain items, it's having an impact on other items, namely letters.

[scoobydo79]

I’m sure the blame doesn’t rest entirely on Royal Mail on this.I Myself have received a hospital letter.Posted late and delivered 2 days before the appointment. No fault of R.M.

Of course the NHS is also being affected by delays, but with RM prioritising certain items, it's having an impact on other items, namely letters.

Absolutely. I know what hospital appointment letters look like and Il always try and get them delivered when I see them. The envelope is very distinctive in My area.

[ssdd]

I’m sure the blame doesn’t rest entirely on Royal Mail on this.I Myself have received a hospital letter.Posted late and delivered 2 days before the appointment. No fault of R.M.

Of course the NHS is also being affected by delays, but with RM prioritising certain items, it's having an impact on other items, namely letters.

Absolutely. I know what hospital appointment letters look like and Il always try and get them delivered when I see them. The envelope is very distinctive in My area.

Are you doing that off you're own back though, or are you being instructed by a manager to prioritize them?

[scoobydo79]

If I spot one in the frame and it’s say near where I’m going with a tracked , maybe a short path, where I park for a break that kind of thing.